The news follows at least three different instances of layoffs over the course of last year, which could be worrying news for Tomb Raider fans, since there are two major projects in the franchise currently in development at the studio. However, it remains optimistic about its chances and is seemingly going full steam ahead towards its release schedule.

“We know that news like this can cause concern amongst our community. Crystal Dynamics remains fully committed to the future development of our already announced Tomb Raider titles…Today, however, our priority is supporting our colleagues who are moving on,” it said on LinkedIn.

The two games in question are Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, a remake of the 1996 classic, and Tomb Raider: Catalyst, a brand-new adventure slated to be quite welcoming to franchise newbies while having enough to keep its veterans engaged. They’re highly anticipated, and rightly so, especially since the last entry, Shadows of the Tomb Raider, was in 2018.

It’s been quite a troubled time for the studio recently, but here’s to hoping that it can shake off those troubles and give us a new Tomb Raider experience that brings back the glory days of the franchise. Catalyst is out next year, but Legacy of Atlantis will launch in 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Amos explained that this comes down to the fact that Tomb Raider: Catalyst will focus on Lara Croft at the furthest point in her adventuring career. This also means that all other Tomb Raider games make up parts of her history. “For longtime fans, it’s one of those moments where this is the furthest point in [Lara Croft’s] career,” he said. “This is really where she is right now. Everything else is her history.”

As for new players, Amos noted that Tomb Raider: Catalyst has been designed so as to make sure that players can jump right into it, and that “there’s no homework required”. He has described the upcoming game as having a “complete adventure top to bottom,” which makes understanding the story and characters easy even if you might not be aware of the backstory of protagonist Lara Croft.

“We’ve designed Catalyst so that players can jump in right now and pick up with her adventures as is, like I say, there’s no homework required,” Amos explained. “You can jump right into Catalyst and feel this [is a] complete adventure top to bottom, and understand the story and the characters without having to know any of that pre-history.”

He went on to reiterate that Tomb Raider: Catalyst is going to be the biggest game in the franchise that Crystal Dynamics has made so far. “So we’re super excited about bringing this experience to everyone.”

Game director Will Kerslake had previously spoken about Tomb Raider: Catalyst, and how it will take place after the events of 2008 title Tomb Raider: Underworld. In an interview, Kerslake also noted that the reboot trilogy from the 2010s would serve as the origin story for Lara Croft in the new Unified Timeline.

“From a timeline perspective, Tomb Raider: Catalyst is set years after the events of Tomb Raider: Underworld, with the reboot trilogy serving as her origin story, so we’re seeing a more experienced Lara Croft,” he explained.

Kerslake had also spoken about new players coming to Tomb Raider: Catalyst not having to worry about the franchise’s baggage in its 3-decades-long history. “What’s important to know is that this is a new chapter in Tomb Raider,” he said. “So whether you followed Lara from the start, or this is your first Tomb Raider game, Tomb Raider: Catalyst is designed to stand on its own as an adventure that can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Tomb Raider: Catalyst is being developed for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and is slated for release in 2027. In the meantime, a remake of the first game in the series has also been in development. Titled Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, it is coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2026.

In a post, along with offering a pencil sketch of an Allosaurus, Douglas also noted that he would have preferred the series to explore new settings rather than going back to the ones we have already seen. He also alluded to the pressure that the developers of the original Tomb Raider had been under back in the 1990s when making the game with the tight-knit crew of six people.

“She’s back apparently,” wrote Douglas. “Personally I’d prefer exploring new lost worlds than another remake/remaster/reimagining of something we crafted under intense duress in the 90’s. Fingers crossed, eh.”

In another post, Douglas wrote more positively about both of the Tomb Raider games’ announcements. While he acknowledged the need for “another 90%+ [Tomb Raider]”, since the first one in the franchise is the only one to get over 90 on Metacritic, he also noted that the two titles both look visually stunning.

“There needs to be another 90%+ TR after all this time,” he wrote. “I’m quite looking forward to seeing both new games now. Visually they are stunning, something we only dreamed of 30 years ago. We will have to wait and see if the gameplay and resulting feelings of exploration and adventure are as good.”

Both Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Tomb Raider: Catalyst were both unveiled during The Game Awards 2025 with their own trailers. While Catalyst seems to represent the next big step for the franchise, Legacy of Atlantis is essentially a remake of the 1996 original.

Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis is being developed using Unreal Engine 5, and will seemingly see some changes made to its story to tie it into what has been referred to as the Unified Timeline, which is essentially an effort to re-establish the lore and continuity of the series.

As for Tomb Raider: Catalyst, game director Will Kerslake discussed the title’s story, and how it is set to take place after the events of 2008’s Tomb Raider: Underworld. In an interview, Kerslake also confirmed that the Tomb Raider reboot trilogy is also canon to the Unified Timeline, serving as protagonist Lara Croft’s origin story.

“What’s important to know is that this is a new chapter in Tomb Raider,” he said. “So whether you followed Lara from the start, or this is your first Tomb Raider game, Tomb Raider: Catalyst is designed to stand on its own as an adventure that can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Neither Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis nor Tomb Raider: Catalyst have release dates. Both titles are being developed for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and while the former has a 2026 release window, the latter is slated for 2027.

Rawr! She's back apparently. Personally I'd prefer exploring new lost worlds than another remake/remaster/reimagining of something we crafted under intense duress in the 90's. Fingers crossed, eh.Dinosaurs will always be cool though…

— Paul Douglas (@cnhyv.bsky.social) 2025-12-11T12:07:16.317Z

There needs to be another 90%+ TR after all this time… I'm quite looking forward to seeing both new games now. Visually they are stunning, something we only dreamed of 30 years ago. We will have to wait and see if the gameplay and resulting feelings of exploration and adventure are as good.

— Paul Douglas (@cnhyv.bsky.social) 2025-12-14T19:45:36.761Z

In the interview, Kerslake confirmed that the reboot trilogy will also be somewhat canon to the story of Tomb Raider: Catalyst, serving as the origin story for protagonist Lara Croft. The story proper, however, is set some time after the events of Tomb Raider: Underworld. “From a timeline perspective, Tomb Raider: Catalyst is set years after the events of Tomb Raider: Underworld, with the reboot trilogy serving as her origin story, so we’re seeing a more experienced Lara Croft,” he explained.

As for where exactly Tomb Raider: Catalyst will fall in the timeline, Kerslake wasn’t too clear about this. Chances are high that it will likely end up taking not too long after Tomb Raider: Underworld, since Lara Croft’s age will be a major concern in that regard. Despite this, however, Kerslake has noted that it will be a brand new chapter in the long-running series. This also means that players don’t have to worry about all of the baggage from the older games, and can simply enjoy the newest entry even if they haven’t played the series before.

“What’s important to know is that this is a new chapter in Tomb Raider,” he said. “So whether you followed Lara from the start, or this is your first Tomb Raider game, Tomb Raider: Catalyst is designed to stand on its own as an adventure that can be enjoyed by everyone.”

Tomb Raider: Catalyst was unveiled with a trailer that gave us our first look at the new Lara Croft. The title is slated to take Lara Croft on a brand new adventure that takes place across Northern India. In the wake of a mythical cataclysm, ancient secrets have been unleashed, leading to the awakening of mysterious forces. This has also meant that there are plenty of treasure hunters on the look out to get their hands on the precious artifacts in the region, and among them is Lara Croft.

While Tomb Raider: Catalyst doesn’t yet have a release date, the game is confirmed to be coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with Amazon Game Studios taking on publishing duties. The title is being developed using Unreal Engine 5. Developer Crystal Dynamics has also gone as far as to describe the game’s world as the largest one yet seen in any of the Tomb Raider games. This means that exploration will also be rewarded quite well with plenty of lost tombs featuring intricate puzzles that can be raided. In order to help Lara accomplish her goals, she will have access to plenty of tools, ranging from her classic dual pistols and grappling hook, to newer ones.

For more details about Tomb Raider: Catalyst, check out its announcement teaser trailer. Also check out the other Tomb Raider game unveiled at the event – Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis.

Tomb Raider: Catalyst is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC with Amazon Game Studios serving as publisher. While its gameplay has yet to be showcased, the trailer does see Croft desperately navigating a collapsing tomb, wall-bouncing and clinging to massive terrain shifts. She quickly emerges to overlook an ancient city and it sure does lend credence to rumors that this could be an open-world title.

Stay tuned for more details on the Unreal Engine 5 title and announcements from The Game Awards. Thus far, we’ve seen a new Divinity, Control Resonant, Leon in Resident Evil Requiem and much more.